Archives for May 2001

Q. With a points score of 63 what are the chances of an interview waiver? Failing that what are the chances of being awarded the 7 points for personal suitability at interview? I will be applying through the London office.

Answer: Interview waivers are not based on the score that an applicant has alone. Although the frequency of waivers may be statistically more frequent for applicants with higher scores at paper screening, the qualifications of the applicant, the presentation of those qualifications, and subjective factors have a significant influence.

Additional information on this topic may be found at Campbell, Cohen’s web site at the following URL:

Similarly, it is impossible to predict the likelihood of obtaining the necessary 7 points without knowing all the details of the case. The immigration department suggests that applicants give themselves 6 points during self assessment, but this does not mean scoring more is not possible. The evaluation of Personal Suitability is highly subjective, and varies considerably by individual.

Q. Once the application process is completed, what is the process at the time of landing?

Answer: At landing, the validity of landing documents, its consistency with passport information, and validity of passports will be verified. You will be asked to provide a list of any belongings that you intend to have follow you to Canada within 12 months of landing.

You may be asked, also, to demonstrate the possession of sufficient settlement funds. The combination of assets on hand and those in financial institutions that are transferable should suffice.

The landing documents will be attached to your passport at the end of the process.

Given the recent changes in the economic climate in the USA, we have summarized some recent reports on the Canadian economy for the benefit of our readers.

The following has been extracted from the Opening Statement by David Dodge, Governor of the Bank of Canada, before the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce on 28 March 2001:

“In Canada, somewhat slower growth has been forecast for 2001, as the economy was beginning to press against capacity. The slowing is primarily in the automotive, telecommunications and electronic sectors, mostly due to fact that production rates were higher than US/Global demand in these sectors.

These three high profile sectors naturally attract a lot of attention. However, there is considerable strength in other important areas of the Canadian economy. The latest data show that investments in the energy sector are very strong, and retail sales are solid. In addition, activity in housing, non-residential construction, and most other service industries remains firm. The bank has decided to lower interest rates to provide some stimulus to industrial activity while maintaining a low rate of core inflation.

‘All in all, as we look ahead through this year and into 2002, the Bank remains positive about Canada’s economic prospects.'”

On April 6, 2001, The Globe and Mail reported on a poll of 1,003 adult Canadians, conducted between March 27 and 29:

Nearly 30% expect their personal finances to improve during this year, while only 19% are worried about losing their job (a figure near an all-time low reached last November).

72% felt that the economy will either improve or stay the same in coming year.

“I believe it’s going to be the best year ever,” proclaimed Nova MacIntosh, a 23-year-old customer service clerk. “And so do my friends. I don’t hear anyone griping or believe that the economy is slowing down any time soon.”

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration is undertaking the process of public consultations across Canada with respect to Bill C-11, an Act respecting immigration to Canada and the granting of refugee protection to persons who are displaced, persecuted or in danger. The committee will be holding public hearings as follows:

Meanwhile, there seems to be considerable debate between the legal community and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration regarding the provisions of Bill C-11. The Canadian Bar Association has prepared and distributed issue papers concerning several aspects of the proposed legislation. The CBA believes that these provisions are incompatible with basic principles of justice, are disrespectful of permanent residents and denigrate their status, and unnecessarily transfer lawmaking powers from Parliament into the hands of Cabinet and public servants.

The Honourable Minister for Citizenship and Immigration maintains that the reforms proposed in Bill C?11 are vital in the context of the changed global environment of today, which has rendered the current 25-year old legislation ineffective. The minister stresses that the legislation has been drafted after extensive consultation spanning almost five years. The minister highlights the fact that the new legislation makes it easier for families to reunite quickly and opens the door wider for skilled immigrants to come to Canada. The minister maintains that the administrative reforms proposed in Bill C-11 are necessary to protect national security and to ensure the confidence of Canadians in the integrity of the system.

OTTAWA — Canada’s technology industry wants the federal government to spend at least $500-million to boost the pool of skilled graduates who are considered key to attracting — and keeping — the industry’s high-growth companies.

eMPOWR, a lobby group that includes representatives from tech companies and universities, says Ottawa should spend $100-million a year over the next five years on professors, labs and research projects so that Canada can produce more graduates in such areas as photonics, wireless technology and micro-electronics.

In the industry’s latest attempt to highlight Canada’s skills shortage, the group said universities produce less than one-third of the people the industry needs. The Information Technology Association of Canada estimates there are 35,000 unfilled jobs in the technology industry. Meanwhile, about 25 per cent of the 350 Canadian professors in these key fields are scheduled to retire by 2005.

Analysts say the availability of highly skilled workers is widely considered the key ingredient in trying to attract or nurture technology companies, but Canada — like its competitors — faces a dire skills shortage.

Kirk Mandy, vice-chairman of Ottawa-based Mitel Corp., said the impact of Canada’s brain drain will only get worse if universities aren’t given the resources to produce more graduates.

“That will certainly pose a difficulty for high-tech companies like Mitel Corp.,” he said yesterday during a press conference in Ottawa. “But it will be a tragedy for Canada.”

Jim Roche, president of Ottawa-based Tundra Semiconductor Corp. and eMPOWR’s chairman, said the money would be an excellent investment for taxpayers because it would allow a high-growth sector to expand and create jobs.

Both executives said their companies have reduced significantly the percentage of research they do in Canada, largely because of a lack of trained people.

Keith Parsonage, director-general of Industry Canada’s branch for the sector, said the government has taken no new positions on the issues raised by the lobby group, but that he doesn’t disagree with any of its suggestions. “It’s very difficult for the government to disagree with any of their proposals.”

Creating more graduates is the most important of three planks in the industry’s efforts to boost Canada’s pool of skilled workers. The industry, along with the federal government, also has been trying to shave the skills shortage by developing retraining programs and lowering barriers for potential immigrants who have skills that are in demand.

Mr. Parsonage said the federal government has been working with the technology industry to try to find solutions to the skills shortage for about two years.

The government has improved the environment for technology companies in recent years by reducing income and corporate taxes and creating a new tax structure for stock options, a common method of compensation within the tech sector.

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